Winnebago County Forest Preserve eyes fees to offset taxes

ROCKFORD — The Winnebago County Forest Preserve District may ask for a small tax increase next year, but officials say they're looking for ways to reduce their dependence on property taxes.

The district's proposed budget calls for collecting $40,000 more in total property taxes next year. District officials say that would translate to an increase of about $3 for the owner of a $100,000 home. That homeowner's total payment to the forest preserve would be about $36 next year.

The actual amount a homeowner pays will vary based on how the value of their home changes. For example, if the owner of a $100,000 home saw their property value drop 6.9 percent — the total decrease across all property in Winnebago County — they would pay about $33, the same amount as this year.

Commissioners are scheduled to vote on the $7.2 million budget plan and the $4.4 million property tax levy on Oct. 24.

Property taxes makes up more than 60 percent of all revenue the district receives. To supplement that the district plans to increase rental rates on district-owned farmland, which has been below market prices, executive director Mike Holan said. It will also add out-of-county fees on golf courses, shelters and other rental facilities.

Holan said those adjustments should bring in about $140,000 more each year.

"Instead of throwing everything in the taxpayers' lap, we're pulling fees from those who are using facilities from out of the county and making them pay a little bit more," Holan said.

The district may also explore sponsorships or naming rights on some of its programs and facilities to raise extra cash, said Judy Barnard, president of the district's board of commissioners. That's similar to what the Rockford Park District does.

The proposed budget includes money to hire a grant writer to help the district search for outside cash to fund anything from capital improvements to land acquisition.

"We've already taken (the grant writer) around to all of our golf courses because we have a lot of capital needs there," Barnard said.

The district also wants to increase its volunteer force to assist paid staff in tackling various projects across 41 preserves that cover more than 9,700 acres of land.

"A lot of organizations use volunteers very successfully for restoration projects and maintenance projects on some of their properties," Barnard said. "We're doing everything we can to hold down expenses."